In the Black: Black Star Security

by Cynthia Rayne

  “And when we find them?” Ellie asked.

  Zane grinned. “We take them out.”

  ***

  “Hey, have you got a minute?”

  Ellie froze. Busted. She’d been so damn close to sneaking into her room. Her hand was on the freaking handle. She turned to see Zane leaning against the wall.

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  “About last night, thanks for takin’ care of me.”

  She’d woken up alone, and Ellie hated to admit it, but her feelings were hurt. It’s not like she should be surprised. It was more of his Jekyll and Hyde crap. They’d done this dance for years.

  It was like Carrie and Mr. Big. If Mr. Big was an ex-Navy SEAL, who couldn’t make up his damn mind.

  She pasted on a smile. “You’re welcome. How are you feelin’?”

  “Better, thanks.”

  “Glad to hear it.” She turned away. “Well, talk to you later.”

  “Wait a second.”

  “What?” she asked, wearily. This time, Ellie didn’t bother turning around.

  He cleared his throat. “Can we talk about what else happened?”

  “No.”

  “Please?”

  “Fine. If you wanna talk, we’ll talk. I don’t get it.”

  “Get what?”

  “You’re deal.” Ellie whirled to face him. I don’t understand why you’re all over the place when it comes to me.” She sighed. “But I guess, it doesn’t matter anymore. You obviously don’t want me. And I’m goin’ to jail anyway. So, this is pointless, right?”

  “Ellie, I—”

  “Save it!” She held up a hand. “I’ve got enough to deal with anyway. It’s fine. I’ll see you around, Zane.”

  And then she slammed the door shut.

  Chapter 6

  Ellie’s alarm sounded, blaring like a car horn.

  Muzzily, Ellie sat up in bed and pulled the covers off. She felt a little woozy like she’d just woken up after a night on the town. She swiped at the tangle of hair covering her eyes.

  It had been three days since Storm had tasked the satellites to look for the men. He’d written the listening algorithm and unleashed it on the internet, but they hadn’t heard a damn thing.

  Ellie was getting antsy.

  She kept watching CNN, fearful of breaking news reports, convinced she’d see an Anubis attack.

  There’d been nothing. Radio silence.

  Ellie couldn’t decide if it was an encouraging sign or not. This could be a grace period before all hell busted loose.

  She’d also picked up the telephone a handful of times, considering calling the FBI and offering herself up, but she’d been too much of coward. Ellie was about to come out of her skin if they didn’t get a lead soon. Sitting around, waiting for disaster to strike was driving her bonkers.

  And when she wasn’t worried about a chemical attack, she thought about Zane.

  He popped into her head, unbidden. Her brain seemed to be in an infinite loop when it came to the man.

  Spending so much time with him had reignited her crush.

  When she’d woken up alone, Ellie had flashed back to the beach, when she’d poured her heart out to him, and he’d pushed her away. His rebuff had worked, she’d never hit on him again, until they sat together on the porch swing. And judging by the parade of women he’d kept company with afterward, Zane was a player.

  Maybe that’s the reason he didn’t want her? Zane knew Ellie was the kind of girl who wanted a commitment from a guy.

  They hadn’t talked again since she’d lost her shit with him in the hallway. In fact, he’d been scarce. Then again, she’d been prickly and distant.

  Ellie shook her head to clear it. Now’s not the time to obsess about the one that got away. You’ve got bigger problems. Pheromones be damned.

  When Ellie got downstairs, the boys were gone. Mack was at the kitchen table by herself.

  Evidently, Storm had organized yet another hike. Only this time, he’d challenged them all to a contest to see who was the fastest.

  With their manhood on the line, they’d all gone.

  Mack had told her all about it while she went through a pile of mail. Most of it must be junk because she kept plunking items into the trash can.

  Mack raised a sly brow. “Zane went with them.”

  Who cares? I don’t.

  “Oh.”

  “No comment?”

  “None. Why didn’t you go? Got nothin’ to prove?” Ellie asked as she sat beside her with a cup of coffee.

  “One, I hate running. Two, I don’t have a penis to defend.”

  Ellie nearly choked on her drink.

  “Who has a penis?”

  They glanced up to see Savvy walk in the room, with Annie right behind her. Since Savvy was still wearing pajamas, she must have stayed over with Tommy.

  Mack snickered. “I was telling her the guys are hiking to defend their manly honor. I’m pretty sure they’re forming a club.”

  Annie and Savvy poured themselves a cup of coffee and sat down with them.

  “Yeah, West was grumbling about balls and sneakers this morning when he rolled out of bed.” Annie frowned. “Now, it makes more sense.”

  “How’s the record coming?” Ellie asked, eager to talk about anything else.

  “Excellent.” Savvy grinned. “I’m making real progress on the album, but I needed a weekend off.”

  “And you came here to relax?” Mack asked.

  “Hey now. This place is where the action is. All I do is strum a guitar and sing. After hangin’ out with you guys, I find it kinda borin’. I’m gonna take a few days off and hang out with y’all.”

  Ellie could do with a little boring right about now. There’s an old Chinese curse that seemed appropriate. May you live in interesting times. The Chinese were on to something there. Her world had gotten really freaking interesting lately.

  “Since we’re in a guy a free zone, maybe we can talk about something a little more personal.” Mack turned her way. “What’s going on between you and Zane?”

  She was about to politely refuse to answer the question, when both Annie and Savvy got quiet, listening intently.

  Hmm. Have they been gossipin’ behind my back?

  “Um, I don’t know. Nothing?”

  Annie shook her head. “Nope, there’s something there. The two of you have been ice cold to another.”

  Dammit. They’d noticed. And here, Ellie thought she’d been so stealthy about it.

  Wait a minute. Had Tommy figured it out, too? Because that would make it even more awkward. When she’d been hung up on Zane back in the day, her brother had been preoccupied with his new girlfriend, who’d eventually become his wife. Tommy hadn’t even noticed. Maybe with Savvy in the picture, Ellie could fly under the radar once more.

  “And you’re done with Dave, right?” Savvy asked. “So, you could give Zane a shot, if you wanted to.”

  The question was very personal, but there was a very real possibility this woman would be her new sister-in-law. Evidently, she and Tommy were getting very serious.

  “Yeah, we’re completely over. I should’ve ended it a long time ago.” And if I had, I wouldn’t be in this mess. “And I’m never goin’ back there again. Ever.”

  “I got it, very Taylor Swift.” Savvy nodded sagely.

  They all stared at her.

  “You know, we are never ever gettin’ back together.” She hummed along with the tune.

  Ellie chuckled. “Yup, that about sums it up.”

  “Back to Zane,” Mack prompted.

  Ugh. Why can’t they just drop it?

  “This is hardly the time to worry about my love life.” She shrugged. “Besides, I’m gonna be starrin’ in my very own episode of Orange is the New Black soon.” Even if Zane could make up his mind, the point was moot.

  “We don’t know how this will shake out yet.” Annie placed a hand over hers. “No point in worrying until there’s something to freak out about.” />
  It made sense, but Ellie liked to plan and put contingencies in place. Something told her, she should anticipate the worst-case scenario on this one.

  “And if you’re in jeopardy, you should make every day count,” Mack said. “It could be your last. I’ve been in plenty of near death situations before, and I’ve never regretted the things I’ve done. It’s always the things I didn’t do, that bothered me.”

  It made a lot of sense. But I’m too much of a chicken. She’d put herself out there so many times only to be slapped down.

  “Regardless, he doesn’t want me.”

  “I think you’re wrong about that,” Savvy said carefully.

  “Really? Because he can’t seem to make up his mind. He goes back and forth.” It made Ellie wonder if she was deluding herself. Maybe he just enjoyed the chase and Ellie was easily caught?

  “Then you should make his mind up for him,” Savvy said. “Under extreme circumstances, you gotta do somethin’ drastic.”

  “Like what?”

  “Maybe a head trip?” Savvy offered. Annie and Mack nodded.

  “No, I don’t think.” Ellie wasn’t into playing games. When she had a crush on somebody, she told him so.

  And then Nox walked in the room.

  Everybody got quiet.

  “What’s goin’ on here?” he asked with a frown.

  Nox was dressed in a pair of shorts and shiny with sweat. He reminded her of one of those body builders flexing on a stage.

  Wide-eyed, they all shrugged and shook their heads.

  “Lord help us all. You’re plottin’ somethin’.” Chuckling, Nox headed up the stairs. The rest of the guys were still in the yard. Evidently, Nox had won the contest.

  “Yeah, you should do that,” Savvy said, glancing upstairs meaningfully.

  Was Savvy suggesting she flirt with Nox? Or worse?

  “Oh, hey, I’m not interested in—”

  “I didn’t mean you have to actually do him.” Savvy snickered. “All you gotta do is notice him.”

  Annie snickered. “It might do the trick. West caught me lookin’ at Nox once and he got all worked up about it.”

  “It should drive Zane right up a wall, too,” Mack agreed.

  What if they were right? And Zane just needed a little push?

  “Maybe you’re on to somethin’. He stayed the night in my bed, you know. Well, no, I was actually in his bed.”

  Annie perked up. “You slept with him?”

  “No, we just snoozed next to each other. He was injured, and I helped him. It was kind of nice.” Sleeping beside Zane had felt natural. Right.

  Until the next morning, anyway.

  “And that's it? He didn’t make a move?” Mack asked.

  “Nope.”

  “I swear that boy is as dumb as a box of rocks.” Savvy hmphed. “If he were a bit smarter, you wouldn't have to flirt with another man to make him realize he wants you for himself.”

  Ellie laughed.

  “Are you gonna make Zane suffer a bit?” Savvy regarded Ellie over the rim of her coffee cup. “You can’t say he doesn’t have it comin’.”

  I couldn't do that, could I? It would be wrong. And petty. And fun.

  Zane had earned a little sexual frustration. Hadn't he? Hmm.

  Just then, Mack pulled out a long pale blue scarf from a plain package that had been sitting in front of her. There was no address label on it. Whoever had delivered it, must have placed the item in the mailbox.

  They all got quiet.

  “It’s beautiful,” Savvy said. “Who gave it to you?”

  Mack glanced at Annie uneasily. “Um, there’s a card.” It was a tiny white square with no logo. “John Doe.”

  “Isn’t he one of those fugitive guys?” Zane had mentioned it to Ellie in passing. He’d said something about the man giving Mack a watch.

  “Did you tell him you wanted a scarf?” Annie asked. “Please tell me you haven’t been communicating with him.”

  “Of course not. This was on my Amazon wish list.”

  “Then how’d he get it?” Ellie asked.

  “It’s public. My mother never knows what to buy me, so I make it easier on her.”

  Woah. “He’s stalkin’ you?”

  Mack bit her lip. “I think so.”

  But she looked pleased, not worried.

  ***

  “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

  Zane turned on the leather sofa and snapped his fingers to regain Ellie’s attention.

  Somethings goin’ on here.

  She’d spent three days giving him the silent treatment, only to knock on his door this evening, and ask him if he wanted to have a drink with her and “hang out.” Zane had been too relieved to question her motive, but he got the distinct impression she was trying to teach him a lesson.

  Ellie blinked. “Hmm?”

  Obviously, she hadn’t been listening as he’d blathered on for the past five minutes. She slowly turned to look at him, morphing from guilty to guileless in a blink of her big, blue eyes.

  He knew better than to fall for it.

  “You’re busted, Ellie. Drop the innocent act.” He sank deeper into the soft leather.

  “I’m not acting innocent. I am innocent. Go on. Try me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin in a gesture that said, “bring it on.”

  He’d seen the expression before on her face when she’d challenged him and the rest of the SEALs to a game of pool at the bar. Zane had assumed she was the quiet, shy sort, but Ellie was a shark. She’d fleeced them out of all their cash, without even breaking a fingernail.

  “Fine. Then, tell me what I said.”

  He’d been telling Ellie how sorry he was, and how much he valued their friendship. Zane had been practicing the speech for days, to get it just right.

  “You told me to relax, right? To take each day as it comes?”

  “Yes, I must have said that.” He took a sip of beer, eager to have her attention once more.

  “And I’m takin’ your advice.”

  But her gaze strayed back to Nox, ogling him. Eying him. She acted as if he were Alexander Skarsgard and David Beckham rolled into one hunky package. He was at the kitchen sink, watching dishes by hand. The bastard had taken off his shirt so it wouldn’t get wet. He had earbuds in, jamming as he worked.

  Ellie admired his ass as Nox shook it.

  And I’ve got a nicer ass.

  He resisted the urge to check, in case his glutes had mysteriously disappeared.

  Zane supposed some women might find him attractive, but Nox was a dick. Ellie could do better. While they both had casual relationships, Nox lacked style and class. Not to mention, his kinky behavior. Zane doubted Ellie was into whips and chains.

  “Why are you starin’ at him so intently?”

  “I’m not starin’.”

  “No, you’re droolin’.” Zane took another sip of beer, but in his current mood it tasted like the cheap Natty Light they’d drank in his early twenties. He set it down with a loud thunk, trying to distract her, but Ellie didn’t even notice.

  Her gaze practically stroked Nox. “I bet he’s all take charge. You know, back a girl up against the bed, strip off her shirt and…”

  Zane coughed.

  “Are you okay?” She watched with wide, concerned, completely platonic eyes.

  “Fine.”

  Zane should be thinking of a way to stop the terror attack, not fighting the urge to knock Nox’s teeth down his throat.

  “I just need him to notice me first.”

  Evidently, they weren’t switching topics. Fan-fucking-tastic.

  “Why would you want him?” Nox must be having a stroke. Prim and proper little Ellie wanted a fling with Nox? Nox who had the morals of a frat boy at a strip club.

  “Because I need a break, Zane. A stress reliever.”

  “We should be focusin’ on the problem.” Not Nox.

  “We’re doin’ everythin’ we can.
Right?”

  “Right,” he said through clenched teeth.

  She bit her lower lip. “Zane, we both know how this situation ends. I’m goin’ to jail. And maybe I’ve got this urge to…I don’t know, live a little. Or it could be some kind of copin’ mechanism. All I know is, I want a distraction, some fun.”

  Fun. A distraction.

  She made Nox sound like a theme park ride.

  And Zane couldn’t be her good time guy. He was serious about Ellie. Zane wanted all of her, but he couldn’t have Ellie, wouldn’t allow himself to wreck her life.

  Suddenly, she stopped sassing him and gawking at Nox.

  Instead, she stared at the television screen. And her chin trembled.

  Christ. Ellie’s picture was on the evening news.

  ***

  “What are you doin’ out here again?”

  Zane found Ellie on the back porch again, swinging.

  Actually, she was standing still, with a bottle of whiskey between her knees. And Bomber was in her arms. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were sparkly and bright.

  Evidently, the alcohol was working its magic. Along with the puppy.

  As soon as she’d seen the news report, Ellie had bolted from the room. He’d let her have a few minutes to pull herself together, before going out to check on her. Thankfully, King was occupied in his room with Savvy, so he hadn’t noticed, leaving Zane to take care of Ellie.

  “Thinkin’.”

  “About what?”

  “You ever wish you could go back in time? Stop yourself from makin’ a mistake.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Zane was struck with a vision of the two of them, drinking and laughing at the beach, cozying up to a campfire, curled together on a sandy blanket, as the salty ocean wind buffeted their bodies.

  He’d give anything to go back to that night, do it all over again. Maybe find a way to let her down easy, or head her off before Ellie poured her heart out to him. And he had to break it.

  “Well, we can’t,” she said with a sigh. “So, I’m havin’ a pity party, and you’re invited.” She took a swig of whiskey and then made a face. “How can you drink this stuff? Ugh.”

  “You get used to it.” Zane swiped the bottle and tipped it back, taking a swallow. Fire slid down his throat, and he handed it back to her.